Richmond County School Board honors five division retirees

Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 12:08 pm

Board chairman John Brown (right) presents Brenda Pemberton (center) with an honorary resolution as district five board member Ken Blackley looks on.

Five retirees were honored for their time with the Richmond County School System, during the board’s June 8 meeting, includingVice Chairman Brenda Pemberton. Pemberton has been the District Four representative and Vice Chairman of the board for the past 13 years.

The board marked their closing agenda topic as “miscellaneous” to surprise Pemberton with a large vase of Sunflowers, while each member stood to speak about their time working with Pemberton.

When Pemberton’s husband, District Four Richmond County Board of Supervisors representative Robert B. Pemberton, stepped up to the podium to speak of the Pemberton’s service, he said he was “At a loss for words.” He spoke of how proud he was of Pemberton and how she never failed in being an advocate for students by going out of her way to contact major officials and show, “them the importance of our school system.”

District Five representative Ken Blackley told Pemberton, “You’ve always brought a different perspective. You’re the best.”

District One representative Vivian Wood said, “This is a sad day for me. I know your heart will always be here.”

The District Three representative, Patricia Pugh said that it has been “a privilege” working along side Pemberton. Also stating that her “Leadership has been so inspirational.”

Pemberton closed the meeting by stating, “Life is about relationships. Those are the things that last. This is just turning the page. We need to be together in our efforts. We need to get rid of any barriers that exist amongst us. I feel privileged to have been on this board. A lot does happen when you remember you’re a part of a team.”

As voted by the Richmond County Public Schools’ selection committee on May 26, Kathleen Beane will join the board in Pemberton’s place effective July 1.